Be a Better Ally: Critical Conversations for K12 Educators

How can we rethink professional development for teachers so it feels energizing, relevant, and deeply human?

In this episode, Tricia Friedman is joined by Justin Hardman and Carlos Galvez for a conversation about educator professional development, community building in education, teacher conferences, and the future of learning.

Together, they explore why many educators are no longer looking for one-size-fits-all PD. Instead, they want meaningful professional learning, stronger communities of practice, and experiences that leave them feeling connected rather than depleted.

This episode examines what makes a great education conference, how to design teacher professional learning that builds trust and belonging, and why joy, movement, and human connection matter more than ever—especially in a time when AI in education is changing the conversation around teaching and learning.

If you care about teacher growth, innovative professional development, education leadership, or building stronger school communities, this conversation is for you.

• Why professional development for educators needs to evolve

• What teachers want from modern professional learning

• The importance of community building in schools and education spaces

• How to create authentic communities of practice for teachers

• Why the best teacher conferences feel relational, not transactional

• How organizations can avoid "copy-paste" conference programming

• The role of trust, belonging, and leadership in adult learning

• How to identify and elevate new voices in education

• Why informal learning spaces like PubPD matter for educators

• How physical education, wellness, and movement shape better conference experiences

• What AI means for educators, especially in relation to health, wellness, and human connection

• Why the future of education may depend on protecting what is most human about learning

Educators have access to more information than ever. What many need now is not more content, but more connection. Justin and Carlos reflect on how teacher professional development can become more collaborative, practical, and community-centered.

This episode digs into what it really takes to build a thriving education community—from intentional design and representation to trust, consistency, and making space for new voices.

From presenter support to social events, the conversation highlights the small and large details that help an education conference feel welcoming, joyful, and memorable.

Carlos shares the story behind PubPD, a social and informal model for educator learning that blends conversation, reflection, and community in more relaxed spaces.

As schools continue exploring artificial intelligence in education, this episode asks an important question: what should stay deeply human in how we teach, lead, and learn?

• "The information is out there… what matters now is community."

• "Some of the people doing the best work in schools are not the ones necessarily signing up to present."

• "The key to building community is belonging."

• "Learning should be joyful."

• "We shouldn't just adapt to AI. We should ask how AI adapts to us."

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, instructional coach, conference organizer, or education consultant, this episode offers insight into how to make professional development for educators more human, more inclusive, and more impactful.

It is also a powerful reminder that the most effective learning environments—whether online, in schools, or at conferences—are built on belonging, trust, curiosity, and shared purpose.

Connect with Justin

Connect with Carlos

Learn more about PHASE

Jasmine Warga joins us to talk about trust, vulnerability, friendship, and the creative process behind writing children's books that resonate deeply with young readers. We explore how animal characters can help kids navigate big emotions, why experimentation matters in storytelling, and what great children's literature can teach about acceptance, emotional growth, and connection.

• Trust and vulnerability in children's literature

• Why animal characters can help young readers process emotions

• Jasmine Warga's research and writing process

• How stories model friendship, support, and acceptance

• Why creative risk-taking matters in the writing life

• The emotional lessons children can take from fiction

• "Animals can be avatars for our young readers"

• "Love isn't conditional, even in messy moments"

• "Experimentation pushes artistic growth"

00:00 Exploring Trust and Vulnerability 02:47 The Power of Animal Characters 05:39 Character Development and Emotional Depth 08:24 The Writing Process and Creative Freedom 11:35 Unlikely Friendships and Community Building 14:17 Pushing Creative Boundaries

Jasmine Warga is an author known for her moving and insightful work in children's literature. In this conversation, she reflects on the emotional core of storytelling, how personal experience shapes her writing, and what young readers can gain from stories centered on vulnerability, connection, and compassion.

• Jasmine Warga official website: https://www.jasminewarga.com

Dana Specker Watts began rowing and found an unexpected leadership lab: a sport where trust is built through timing, teamwork, and attention to small signals. In this educational interview, Dana shares how early mornings on the water became a practice for focus and calm, and how rowing reshaped the way she navigates conflict, setbacks, and collaboration.

We talk about masters rowing as an adult beginner experience, the value of quiet reflection, and what it means to stay in sync with others without constant talk. You will also hear how technology shows up in rowing, and why "messiness" and repair can strengthen teams.

Key topics

• Leadership lessons from rowing at 50

• Teamwork, timing, and nonverbal synchronization

• Early morning routines, mental clarity, and emotional resilience

• Technology in rowing and what data can and cannot tell you

• Failure, adversity, and building trust through repair

Takeaways

• Rowing trains nonverbal teamwork: alignment, timing, and shared attention.

• Early morning time on the water can boost focus and mental clarity.

• Setbacks can strengthen teams when you practice repair, not blame.

• Learning a new skill later in life is a powerful cognitive and identity reset.

Memorable lines

• "Messiness and conflict are essential for growth."

• "Quiet time on the water keeps me grounded."

• "It's never too late to start something new."

Chapters

• 00:00 Rowing at 50 and why adults start

• 05:42 The meditative side of rowing and quiet reflection

• 11:26 Technology in rowing: data, gear, and feedback

• 17:09 Team synchronization, conflict, and resilient leadership

Resources

• The Boys in the Boat, Daniel James Brown

• Dana Specker Watts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaspeckerwatts/

Dana Specker Watts, Ph.D.

Dana has a broad school background in curriculum, technology, innovation, and educational leadership. She joined ISS from Hong Kong International School, where she was the Schoolwide Curriculum Leader. In addition to working in Hong Kong, India and Thailand, she has also served as Executive Director of WLead, and as the Director of Innovation at 21st Century Learning International. Dana is also an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Google Certified Teacher, and ISTE Certified Trainer. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Sciences from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from State University of New York College at Buffalo, and a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Canisius College in New York.

In this episode, Tricia sits down with Christine Kuehn and Mark Schiponi to discuss Family of Spies, a World War II story of Nazi espionage, betrayal, and family secrecy.

Christine and Mark share what it was like to research and write a book that reads like a thriller but is rooted in their real family history, including the emotional toll of confronting Nazi involvement, the practical challenge of organizing years of research into a coherent narrative, and the complicated experience of bringing a private family story into public view.

We talk about how Family of Spies blends personal discovery with historical investigation, what surprised them most once they examined their family dynamics through the lens of writing, and why telling the story was not just about the past, but about legacy, accountability, and what happens when "the truth always comes out."

Content note: This conversation includes discussion of Nazism, antisemitism, and World War II.

In this episode

• Family history and family secrets: what changes when evidence replaces rumor • The writing process: turning decades of research into a narrative readers can follow • Public reception: why private reactions can differ sharply from public response • Storytelling and legacy: what it means to carry history forward honestly

Timestamps

00:00 The emotional journey of researching family history 03:35 Organizing the story: from research to writing 06:51 Confronting family secrets and their impact 10:53 Navigating public reception and personal relationships 14:18 Future aspirations: continuing the legacy of storytelling 18:05 Crafting the narrative: blending personal and historical perspectives

What do we owe each other in an age of artificial intimacy? This episode dives into Tricia Friedman's interactive ethics exercise, Table for One?, which uses the metaphor of an AI companion restaurant — a venue where diners are paired with a conversational AI — to surface hard questions about safety, manipulation, dependency, privacy, and shifting social norms.

What the Resource Is: An interactive tool that walks participants through 5 ethical dilemmas. For each, you choose one of four stances (allow with disclosures, pilot with evaluation, allow with safeguards, or do not allow), rate your confidence, and reflect using the D.I.N.E. framework:

• D – Direct impact: who is affected now?
• I – Indirect effects and unintended consequences
• N – Next-generation norms and long-run drift
• E – Evidence gaps and what data is missing

Why It Matters: AI companions are already here. This exercise moves the conversation beyond "is this cool or creepy?" into structured ethical reasoning — ideal for educators, leaders, and families trying to navigate companion AI thoughtfully.

Check out the resource:

https://triciafriedman.com/table-for-one-ethics-of-ai-companionship/

Join Tricia this March with AAIE:

https://www.aaie.org/leadership-learning/future-foresight-community

In this conversation, Sandra Magsamen discusses her approach to creating children's literature that emphasizes connection, love, and emotional intelligence. She shares insights into her creative process, the importance of feedback from readers, and how her work aims to foster self-love and connection between caregivers and children. Magsamen also reflects on her artistic journey, the role of perseverance, and the significance of storytelling in shaping lives.

SANDRA MAGSAMEN is the author and illustrator of many books for young children, including the picture book When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me, as well as a number of bestselling novelty titles, including Everybody Goes Nighty-Night, named a Best Board Book of 2018 by The Children's Book Review; Baby Love; I Love You, Little Pumpkin; and Peek-a-Boo, I Love You. As an artist, an art therapist, and a mom, she uses her creativity to remind people to express themselves and connect with others. Her lifestyle brands, products, and books are sold worldwide. Visit her at sandramagsamen.com

Chapters

00:00 The Heart of Connection in Children's Literature 02:48 Love as an Action: The Role of Caregivers 05:34 Impactful Feedback: Stories from Readers 08:31 The Power of Objects and Books in Shaping Lives 11:06 Curiosity and Creativity: Fueling the Artistic Journey

Join Tricia Friedman to learn more about Companion AI this Sunday with TRC:

https://technologyreadiness.org/workshops/

Use special promo code 'ShiftingSchool' to get 20% off registration

This week, Tricia speaks with Julie Menanno about her new book, Secure Love, and what it actually takes to build emotionally safe, lasting relationships in a hyperconnected world.

The conversation begins with an unexpected cultural lens: Jim and Pam from The Office. What makes their dynamic feel healthy? Friendship first. Slower pacing. Emotional safety before performance. From there, the episode moves into deeper territory.

Julie challenges the fast, simplified narratives about relationships that dominate social media. Instead of labeling partners as villains or diagnosing from afar, she argues for a more nuanced frame. Most relational breakdowns are rooted in blocked needs. Fear. Shame. Unresolved grief. When emotional safety collapses, behavior follows.

Julie Menanno is a trailblazing therapist, author, educator, a masterful interpreter of Attachment Theory, and an Architect of Emotional Connection who is continually working to bridge the gap between complex psychological concepts and everyday struggles. As a revolutionary force in the world of relationships, Julie's work has transformed the way we understand emotional intimacy and human connection. Julie is the creator of The Secure Relationship. This platform has reached millions worldwide, with a mission to dismantle the barriers that keep people from experiencing the joy of deeply connected, secure relationships. In a world increasingly disconnected by technology and societal pressures, Julie stands as a guiding light, reminding us that love and connection are not just desires but essential human needs and with every conversation, every session, and every word, Julie transforms lives, one secure relationship at a time. Follow Julie on IG @thesecurerelationship or her website

Key themes explored:

• Why "friendship first" can reduce pressure in dating • How social media rewards oversimplified explanations of relational pain • The appeal of labeling versus the work of nuance • Naming fear before walking into a room • Why conflict is not a failure but a developmental process • How repeated safe conversations reshape nervous systems • Emotional literacy as leadership • Self-connection as the prerequisite for connection with others

Learn with Tricia and the TRC this Sunday:

https://technologyreadiness.org/workshops/

In a bold anthem, Rise, Girl, Rise, feminist organizer Gloria Steinem and Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee share their parallel journeys as activists. This picture book for children is told through alternating points of view and culminating in a powerful collective "we," celebrating resilience and empowerment to inspire readers everywhere to raise their voices, stand together, and rise up for themselves and others.

Gloria Steinem is a political activist, feminist organizer, and the author of many acclaimed books, including the national bestseller Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem. She is a contributor to the classic children's book Free to Be You and Me, which became a children's entertainment project, conceived, created, and executive-produced by actress and author Marlo Thomas, produced in collaboration with the Ms. Foundation for Women, and the Free to Be Foundation, both cofounded by Ms. Steinem, and most recently illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Ms. Steinem is also the co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus and the Women's Media Center. In keeping with her deep commitment to establishing equality throughout the world, Ms. Steinem helped found Equality Now, Donor Direct Action, and Direct Impact Africa. To learn more, visit gloriasteinem.com.

Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist, social worker, and women's rights advocate. She is Founder and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, based in Monrovia. As a writer, Ms. Gbowee is the author of the inspirational memoir Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War, and author of the children's book A Community of Sisters, illustrated by Coleen Baik. Ms. Gbowee is perhaps best known for leading a nonviolent movement that brought together Christian and Muslim women to play a pivotal role in ending Liberia's devastating, 14-year civil war in 2003.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Picture Books 02:43 Friendship Across Cultures 05:15 Legacy and Call to Action

Takeaways

The book aims to change expectations for children and adults alike. Friendship across cultures is possible and essential. The book serves as a legacy and call to action for young girls. Storytelling connects us and highlights our shared humanity. Collaboration enriches the creative process and strengthens friendships. The authors intentionally targeted the next generation with their message. Books can be powerful tools for empowerment and understanding. Cultural exchange enhances our perspectives and experiences. The book is not just for children but for all ages. The authors believe in the importance of accessible messages of hope.

What do puzzles teach us about being human? In this episode, Tricia talks with Allison Kane, Head of Puzzle Innovation at Highlights, about why puzzling matters far beyond entertainment. From Hidden Pictures and Wordle to classroom design and family learning, this conversation explores how puzzles build confidence, perseverance, and joyful learning across ages.

Learn more:

https://parents.highlights.com/printable-puzzles-and-mazes-puzzle-day-challenge

Allison shares her origin story as a lifelong puzzler, explains the idea of the satisfaction of the solve, and offers practical advice for educators and families who want to integrate puzzles into learning spaces. The conversation also looks at puzzle design, community building, and what adults model for young people when they choose curiosity over avoidance.

Topics covered Allison Kane's path from Highlights intern to Head of Puzzle Innovation Why puzzles support perseverance, confidence, and joyful learning The satisfaction of the solve and why payoff matters Puzzles as community builders in classrooms and families Designing puzzles that challenge without frustrating How educators can bring puzzles into classrooms easily What adults model for kids through playful intellectual challenge National Puzzle Day and the rise of puzzle communities

Puzzles are not just activities. They are invitations to practice thinking, persistence, and joy. When adults model engagement with challenge, they show young people that learning can feel good.

In this conversation, Tricia and Charlotte Jones Voiklis explore the enduring impact of 'A Wrinkle in Time,' discussing its timeless themes, the significance of adaptations, and the cultural context surrounding the book. They delve into the personal connections to literature, the challenges of immersive storytelling in the digital age, and the implications of AI in the literary world. Charlotte reflects on her family's legacy and the responsibility of carrying forward her grandmother's work while navigating the evolving landscape of storytelling.

Takeaways

Stories are timeless and resonate across generations. Adaptations can breathe new life into classic texts. The essence of a story remains intact despite adaptations. Cultural context enriches the understanding of literature. Personal connections to stories shape our experiences. Immersive storytelling presents both opportunities and challenges. Legacy plays a crucial role in literature and storytelling. AI's role in literature raises important ethical questions. The richness of a story invites diverse interpretations. Engaging with literature fosters imagination and curiosity.

Chapters

00:00 The Timelessness of A Wrinkle in Time 02:41 Adaptations and Their Impact 05:19 Cultural Resonance and Legacy 07:50 The Role of Technology in Storytelling 10:42 Personal Connections to the Story 13:08 Future of A Wrinkle in Time 15:34 AI and the Future of Literature

Charlotte Jones Voiklis manages her late grandmother Madeleine L'Engle's literary business. She lived with her grandmother during college and graduate school, co-hosting dinner parties, helping answer readers' letters, and earning a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. Charlotte has worked in academia, nonprofit communications and fundraising, and philanthropy. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.